David Friesen

My Faith, My Life

Origin 82768

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One of the most eminent exponents of the instrument, he maintains an astonishing level of virtuosity.LOS ANGELES TIMES

As early as 1976, Nat Hentoff wrote: "Once in a great while, a musician emerges with such authority and such seemingly effortless originality that his place in the front ranks of his instrument is unquestioned." Hentoff was not speaking of promise or potential, but actual performance, and forty-two years later, with My Faith, My Life, bassist David Friesen has added immeasurably to his stature. With its two CD suites complementing each other so fully, it's an epochal achievement - a testament to the offers of faith, matched with a purposeful life. Disc One is a 13-piece solo performance on his Hemage Bass, which calls attention to the intimacy and immediacy of his compositions. The solo piano of Disc Two highlights Friesen's supple touch on an instrument he's not generally known for. Closing the set, the composition "My Faith, My Life" sums it all up: a credo, affirmation, reverence - lower register continuity laced with sublime melody: a hymn to the Source of all song, with a fitting Amen at the close.

Performers:

Production Info:

Produced by David Friesen
CD ONE - Solo bass, Shakuhatchi Recorded by Peter Swann, Phoenix, Arizona
Recorded February, 2017 Mixing Engineers: Peter Swann, David Friesen
CD TWO - Solo grand piano Recorded by Rob Moore at Ravenscroft Studios, Carefree, Arizona
Recorded July 31, 2018 & August 1, 2018
Mastered by Dana White, Specialized Mastering, Portland, OR Cover Paintings by David Friesen
Cover design & layout by John Bishop

Reviews of My Faith, My Life

Midwest Record (Chris Spector)Anyone up for a two disc tour de force from a contemporary master playing at the penultimate part of his game with so much yet to explore? One disc solo bass and one disc solo piano, Friesen makes a statement like never before as this instrumental music sails way past category showing what it really means to play your heart out. Simply masterful ...

Jazzenzo (The Netherlands) (Georges Tonla Briquet)For his latest album 'My Faith, My Life,' the American bassist David Friesen takes the big picture. It is a solo suite divided over two CDs. On the first disc he plays bass, on the second piano.
After more than four decades of being active and with an extensive discography to his name (about eighty recordings as sideman or under his own name), ...